Degree Dividend
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Allen County Community College vs Independence Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Iola KS · vs · Public, Independence KS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Allen County Community College comes closer — median earnings $40,059 against a $17,284 total, vs $34,941 at Independence Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllen County Community CollegeIndependence Community College
Net price / yr$8,642$3,265
Total net cost$17,284$6,530
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,059$34,941
Median debt$6,954$6,115
Payback
20-year net return-$183,304-$274,910

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Allen County Community College or Independence Community College?

Independence Community College, at $3,265 a year after aid versus $8,642 — a gap of $5,377 a year, or $10,754 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Allen County Community College or Independence Community College graduates earn more?

Allen County Community College graduates report a median $40,059 ten years after entry, $5,118 more than the $34,941 at Independence Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Allen County Community College or Independence Community College?

Independence Community College: its completers carry a median $6,115 in federal loans versus $6,954 at Allen County Community College, a difference of $839. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

37% of students finish at Allen County Community College, against 26% at Independence Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Allen County Community College vs Independence Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Allen County Community College or Independence Community College a better value?
Allen County Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Allen County Community College or Independence Community College?
Independence Community College: $3,265/yr net price after aid versus $8,642/yr at Allen County Community College — a difference of $5,377 a year, or about $10,754 over four years.
Do Allen County Community College or Independence Community College graduates earn more?
Allen County Community College graduates earn a median $40,059 ten years after entry, versus $34,941 at Independence Community College — a $5,118 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.